Salento is a beautiful, little colonial village in the heart of the coffee region. Located around a forty-five-minute bus ride from nearby Armenia, it is easily accessible by road. Surrounded by nature, there are plenty of hostels in Salento since it is becoming well established on the tourist circuit as the gateway to the coffee region. In spite of this growing reputation, the village has not yet become saturated by tourists, and still retains its identity and the charm that makes it so attractive to travelers.

The main square features beautiful colonial architecture, and it is possible to do a short hike up to the Alto de la Cruz, where you will find a perfect viewpoint of the town itself. The shops offer local handmade crafts, and due to their affordable prices and individual styles, they are perfect souvenirs of your stay.

With a hostel here, you are perfectly situated to explore some of the best natural areas in the whole of the country. There are a multitude of options, ranging from hikes, horse riding, or mountain biking -- all of which pass through the mountains, giving views of the untouched landscape. You will also have the opportunity of taking tours of the local farms, or a coffee plantation to gain a better understanding of how Colombia's world famous main export is produced.

On your return from a tough but rewarding day exploring nature, you can sit back with a beer and watch the sun set over the mountains from the comfort of the gardens of the many Salento hostels that have sprung up in recent years. As it's million miles away from the chaos of the larger cities elsewhere in the country, you will fall in love with this place, and almost certainly will plan on staying a little longer than originally planned!